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Billie Jean King

Song She Inspired: Elton John - "Philadelphia Freedom" (1975)Highest Position on the Billboard Hot 100: 1

Elton John asked his lyricist Bernie Taupin to write a tribute to his friend Billie Jean King; Taupin is said to have replied, "I can't write a song about tennis." King was a member of the Philadelphia Freedom, a World Team Tennis squad, and Taupin managed to write something based on the team's name. It's not about tennis, nor is it particularly about Philadelphia, but it was catchy enough to hit the top of the charts and become an alternate theme song to the impending American bicentennial.